Definitely the most beautiful spring garden in the world, the Keukenhof Gardens of Netherlands is a must visit during this time of the year. Every spring, a surreal collection of different flowers is showcased all over the 70-acre garden. You can witness more than seven million blooms, including about 1,000 varieties of tulips alone.
The gardens attract nearly a million visitors a year just looking to catch a glimpse of the phenomenal show of vivid colours. Make no mistake; this is truly one of the most colourful destinations on the planet. From daffodils, croci, and narcissi to beautiful tulips and hyacinths with heavenly scents, it is an overwhelming experience not to be missed.
The iconic gardens were established in Lisse back in 1949 just between Amsterdam and The Hague region. These grounds once had a long-ruined castle, where a countess named Jacoba van Beieren lived during the 15th century. She was known to have such a big enthusiasm for Dutch flowers. The name Keukenhof Gardens actually translates to Kitchen Gardens, because she used this estate to grow her own herbs and vegetables as well.
Tulips are widely believed to originate in the Netherlands, but interestingly the country is not the tulip’s origin. In 1593, they were brought at the request of the Flemish ambassador to Constantinople as he was so captivated by their beauty. From that time onwards, stories of the magnificent flowers spread rapidly throughout the country.
Several wealthy Dutchmen decided to invest in importing bulbs and they created a successful trade. In 1637, the market crashed as the tulip was no longer considered rare. Years later the production continued and now one of the Netherlands’ most important export products are decorative flowers like lilies, gladioli, daffodils, and especially tulips.
A visit to the garden means an entertaining day for all kinds of travellers. While the flowers are the main attraction, the park itself is quite fun especially when you’re travelling with kids.
By Amal Ahmed
